New face and tweaked rear suspension for Isuzu KB

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has started delivering a facelifted version of the sixth generation Isuzu KB to approved dealers in Southern Africa. The 2016 Isuzu KB boasts some styling changes to the front fascia and rear tailgate as well as a redesigned instrument gauge cluster.

Some of the key changes for the 2016 KB include a new front fascia design including changes to bonnet, radiator grille and fog lamps, new headlamps with projector and integrated LED day time running lights on LX models, new tailgate styling on extended and double cab models.

A rearview camera has been integrated to the tailgate handle on LX double cab models, while a 4×4 decal has been added to the load box and LX models get stylish new 18 inch alloy wheels while the rest of the range is fitted with a new 16 inch styled wheel. Inside there is a new instrument cluster design with improved functionality and gear shift indicator for manual models.

The 2016 range continues with the proven 2.5 and 3.0 litre diesel engines. The powerful 3.0-litre DTEQ turbocharged diesel with 130kW and 380Nm from the common rail direct injection turbodiesel does duty in top of the range models. Combined Cycle fuel consumption is 7.9 litres per 100 km for 4×4 double cab and extended cab models, dropping to 7.7 litres per 100 km for the 4×2 versions. The single cab 4×2 also returns a figure of 7.7 litres per 100 km, with the 4×4 single cab version consuming 8 litres per 100 km.

A key feature of LX models is a touch screen infotainment system with satellite navigation, internet, WiFi, and smartphone integration. The screen – a 1080p high-definition TFT unit with a generous 6.5-inch dimension – also acts as the display when browsing, or using the DVD player.

The Rear Park Assist reverse camera is now integrated into the rear tailgate handle on all LX double cab models.

Passive entry and start system (PESS) is a keyless entry with Start/Stop ignition button is standard on all LX double cab models. Leather is available as standard on the 4×4 auto and manual double cabs and as an option on 4×2 Double Cab derivatives.

The second powertrain option is the 2.5-litre DTEQ common-rail direct injection turbodiesel, which was introduced last year with 100kW and 320Nm. The 2.5 comes with a variable geometry turbocharger similar to the 3.0 DTEQ engine, which allows for fine management of boost pressure. With a 20 percent increase in torque at 1 200 rpm and a much wider power band compared to its predecessor, all Isuzu models powered by this unit enjoy vastly improved driveability.

Two workhorse models, the 250 Base Single Cab (LEED) and 250 Fleetside single cab (LEED), are equipped with the Direct Injection 4 Cylinder 2.5 Diesel engine which produces 58 kW and 170 Nm and has an

Local engineers covered over a hundred thousand kilometres refining the suspension of the latest model for a smoother rider on all road surfaces. Hi-Rider 4X2 models received new front and rear dampers while 4X4 models received revised rear dampers only. Rebound control was refined to have more compliant characteristics at both low and high piston damper speeds.

The end result is a smoother ride across a greater variety of terrain i.e. improved isolation from high way road vibration and reduced harshness from high impact.